Hull FC’s search for Mahe Fonua’s replacement is understood to have hit some roadblocks in the last few weeks.

The departure of the Black and Whites’ star was announced last month, with Wests Tigers eventually revealed as his destination on a two-year deal from 2018.

Hull immediately went to work on acquiring a big-bodied outside back in the mould of Fonua but last year’s changes to visa restrictions for Super League players has made recruitment more difficult.

The Mail understands FC have had to reassess several targets for 2018 due to the restriction which requires incoming players to have played 50 per cent of their NRL side’s games over the last two seasons or 50 per cent of their country’s matches in the same time span.

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Coach Lee Radford explained recently: “Now, with the changes in the rules, it means they need to have played 50 per cent of the NRL games over the last two seasons before they can sign here.

“No one really knew who Mahe was when he came through the door.

“But he’s been an asset to Super League as have the likes of Fetuli Talanoa and Jordan Rankin who were players in the same boat but of the same sort of calibre.